Why aren't hardcore Christians tolerant of other's beliefs?

Question

Having read some of the answers here i am actually quite disturbed by them.
The simple fact that you totally believe in the words of the pages of a book really should tell you something about yourselves.
That (and any other) religious text, even if it did once represent the words of 'God', no longer does.
Two thousand years ago, few could read or write, so the religious word was 'preached' verbally. This remained the case until the invention of the printing press.
Given all that time, all that distance, all those agendas of different governments, communities and 'preachers', do you really think it is the same word you are reading now?

Answer 1

I think it's fear and ignorance. Fear of being wrong, ignorance of how most of mankind really is. They have other characteristics:

badly educated (check their spelling and muddled thinking on yahoo answers)

they are not interested in the rest of the world, they do not travel much, they do not read widely (or even at all)

they are full of hate, poor souls

Answer 2

I think it is because they interpret the Bible literally in many places where it should be interpreted symbolically and interpret it in a very exclusive manner. They have made up theological doctrines of original sin and religious exclusivity. When Jesus says "I am the Way, the truth and the life", they take it to mean the body and physical personality of Jesus and not the self-same Christ-spirit that returns in every age (e.g. Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha), and has come since that time in the persons of Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah, the Return of Christ in the Glory of the Father according to Baha'i belief.

Answer 3

Because we are told by God to not to. Anyone who does so, does not stand on God's Word.

Isaiah 8:20 -- "to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Here is what God's Word says about being tolerant of the world...

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Romans 12:2 -- "and be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of god."

Ephesians 5:11 -- "and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

1 Thessalonians 5:22 -- "abstain from all appearance of evil."

James 4:4 ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with god? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of god.

1 John 2:15-17 -- "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of god abideth for ever."

You can only serve one master. To say that you can love the world and love God is a lie.

Matthew 6:24 -- "no man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve god and mammon."

Who do you serve?

Answer 4

Because any other belief other than true Christianity (being truly born again and adhering to God's Word) is false. The bible says alot about false doctrines and false teachers spreading heresies and deceit. That's why we're not tolerant of other's beliefs. 2 Corinthians 11:13, 14 - For such are false apostles, deceiftul workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ 14 - and no marvel:; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Mark 13:22 - For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 1 John 4: 1-3 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 - Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. 3 - And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Answer 5

Because if you aren't with them you are against them. Everything is black and white to christians. There is no room for free thought and debate. That is what faith is. Not questioning and blindly following the rules set down by god.

Answer 6

Because they think their interpretation of the Bible tells them not to be. No one is going to convince them they could be wrong in what they think the Bible means. Only they have the correct interpretation. They cannot fathom the depth and endless meaning of God and put everything on their own level of understanding and dare you to say otherwise.

Answer 7

Once God has revealed Himself to you how can you be tolerant of erroneous beliefs ?

Do you deny that it is possible to know the truth ?

Answer 8

For the same reason that fundamentalists of any religion are intolerant - they are fanatics hence they are intolerant of anything that doesnt come up to their standards, even their fellow believers who are more liberal. If you look at 'moderate' or 'liberal' believers of almost anything, they are a lot more tolerant, not just of other religions, but of people in general.

Answer 9

Cause hard cores see no other possible way, and tend to overlook the real message of Christ, wich was love.

Im Christian, just not a hard core, right wing, outspoken, fundie one.

Answer 10

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through ME"-Jesus Christ